Ruth Letherer down under

Friday

Nov 8, 2013 at 8:28 AMNov 8, 2013 at 8:28 AM

By Phillip Morgan

pmorgan@hillsdale.netMany young people have big dreams. Some deserve to see them come true. Pittsford junior and cross country runner Ruth Letherer plans to travel around the world to Brisbane, Australia to participate in the Down Under Sports Program. Those who know her best say she deserves it."Out of all the runners I have ever had, she's worked as hard, if not harder, than anyone," Pittsford cross country coach Brian Smith said. "She earns everything she gets."As a junior, Letherer finished 28th at the State meet, her third All-State finish. She has also been team MVP each season.Letherer made the Academic All-State team for third consecutive. In 2012, she finished 12th, the highest of any runner with a 4.0 GPA. Ruth has maintained a 4.0 through two and half years of high school. "I think it's really more important than sports," Letherer said of her academics. "Eventually you will be out high school. You can take knowledge with you, but you can't take the sports with you."Letherer's high-striving attitude has been infectious on a Wildcat's cross-country team that is one of the best in the area."She puts in so many miles," junior runner Emily Pulling said. "In the summer, she will bike to every practice. It makes us want to do more, and push ourselves to be more like her."With Letherer as leader, Coach Smith said a week of training and competing in Australia should benefit the whole program."She wants to see everyone succeed," Smith said. "This will be a good experience. It will be nice for her to get input from other coaches and bring something back for the whole team."Not only does Letherer want grow as an athlete, but as a person."I want to travel the world, and I think it will be great start," Letherer said.Her teammate, Emily Pulling, is one of many in the Pittsford community that will surely be pulling for her. "She is really sweet and nice to everybody," Pulling said. "She never says anything bad about anybody. She hasn't really traveled much either."Ruth Letherer said she would like thank anyone willing to help her dream come true, and she hopes she can one day return the favor.Anyone interested in supporting Ruth Letherer's dream of competing in Australia can contact her rletherer@outlook.com or 517-547-4201.